Blinn Therapeutics Manufacturing Program to showcase educational, career opportunities

Information session will detail certificate, degree and career options

April 7, 2017

Blinn College’s Therapeutics Manufacturing Program will introduce prospective students to an array of career opportunities in biology and the therapeutics industry during an upcoming information session.

Blinn will host a session for students interested in the Therapeutics Manufacturing Program on Thursday, April 13, from 4:15-5:15 p.m. in Room 238 of the Bryan Campus H Building (map).

The Therapeutics Manufacturing Program equips students with enhanced training in current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), quality assurance control, biomanufacturing processes and cell culturing necessary for pharmaceutical production. Graduates are eligible for entry-level positions with competitive salaries in the growing Texas biomanufacturing industry.

The program includes a special topics course (BITC 1191) that features lectures and question-and-answer sessions led by professionals from local and statewide biotechnology companies, including College Station’s FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, iBio, and MDx BioAnalytical Laboratory, Inc. The course is available for an eight-week term beginning in Fall 2017.

“This program came at an affordable price, was short-term, and prepared me for local jobs, and that gave me hope and a new career path,” said therapeutics manufacturing student Steven Bravo, who recently turned his 10-week Blinn internship with iBio into a permanent position.

“Since Steven was already familiar with the ramifications of cGMP compliance, he was able to adjust to our standards more easily than I would expect other interns,” said Isaac Wong, Agronomy Scientist at iBio. “I wish I had Steven’s knowledge of cGMP compliance when I first started working at iBio!”

Led by Program Coordinator Michael Johanson, the April 13 info session will provide general information about the program and career opportunities within therapeutics manufacturing and biotechnology fields. The session will also detail the program’s academic pathways, which include a 30-hour Advanced Technical Certificate, a 36-hour Level II Certificate, and a 60-hour Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree.

“This info session will help students interested in biology see that there is a field available for them outside the medical field,” Johanson said. “This program is perfect for anyone with an interest in biology, and our students can find employment at biotechnology companies because they graduate with the skills these companies are looking for.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for therapeutics manufacturing technicians is projected to increase 5 percent from 2014 to 2024. Technicians can expect to earn and average median salary of $41,650. Continued growth in biotechnology and medical research is expected to increase demand for this industry, according to the agency.